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What does the Bible say about praying for the lost?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible encourages believers to pray earnestly for those who do not yet know Christ, trusting God alone to grant repentance, new hearts, and saving faith. Paul models this burden in Romans 10:1, while 1 Timothy 2:1-6 calls for prayers for all people because God desires people to be saved and Christ gave himself as the one mediator. We pray that the Lord will open blinded eyes and turn people from darkness to light, as Acts 26:18 describes. Jesus came to seek and save the lost, and he commands his disciples to pray for laborers for the harvest (Luke 19:10; Matthew 9:37-38). Such prayer rests on God’s patience, sovereign mercy, and promise to give a new heart (2 Peter 3:9; Ezekiel 36:26).

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Acts 26:18

    to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.'

  • Romans 10:1

    Brothers, my heart's desire and my prayer to God is for Israel, that they may be saved.

  • 1 Timothy 2:1-6

    [1] I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: [2] for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; [4] who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. [5] For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, [6] who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its own times;

  • 2 Peter 3:9

    The Lord is not slow concerning his promise, as some count slowness; but is patient with us, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

  • Luke 19:10

    For the Son of Man came to seek and to save that which was lost."

  • 1 Timothy 2:4

    who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

  • 2 Timothy 2:26

    and they may recover themselves out of the devil's snare, having been taken captive by him to his will.

  • 1 John 5:14

    This is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he listens to us.

  • Matthew 9:37-38

    [37] Then he said to his disciples, "The harvest indeed is plentiful, but the laborers are few. [38] Pray therefore that the Lord of the harvest will send out laborers into his harvest."

  • Ezekiel 36:26

    A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh.

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